Cork woman turned €3,000 grant into thriving vintage shop supporting eight artists

Irish Independent

28-05-2025

Katie Sloane used Cork County Council's Creative Start-Up Scheme to open Peach Vintage in Midleton, which now provides a platform for eight local craftspeople to sell their handmade items. The 2025 funding round is now open, offering up to €3,000 grants plus mentorship to artists and makers looking to establish retail spaces
A Cork County Council scheme aimed at supporting artists, designers, and craftspeople in establishing retail spaces across the county has been hailed as "a huge help" by a business owner who received a grant in last year's funding round.
The Creative Start-Up Scheme, now open for applications for 2025, is part of the Council's wider effort to revitalise town and village centres through supporting creative enterprises.
Each approved project can receive up to €3,000 in funding as well as business guidance and mentorship from the Local Enterprise Office.
The scheme welcomes proposals for temporary or seasonal pop-up shops in vacant retail spaces. It also encourages applications from small retailers who wish to expand their offering by featuring more artists or makers or by enlarging their current retail footprint.
Katie Sloane is the owner of the Peach Vintage shop in the East Cork town of Midleton.
Opened at the Courtyard on Main Street a year ago, the shop sells vintage and pre-loved goods as well as a selection of hand-made art made by local artists and craftspeople.
Katie said she received "great help" from the Local Enterprise Office as part of the scheme and "the help from the County Council was fantastic."
"It's a vintage store with a creative space, where eight people sell their handmade items, all local," Katie told the Irish Independent. The craftspeople within Peach Vintage include a jewellery-maker and a photographer.
"The grant is so beneficial, because it paid for the signage, it's beautiful signage and everyone comments on it," Katie said.
Announcing this year's scheme, the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll, said: 'This fund will provide a welcome boost to successful applicants and help stimulate creative activity across Cork County. Over the past four years, it has supported the creation of unique retail spaces such as Blackwater Valley Makers in Fermoy, Le Cheile Arts in Dunmanway, Peach Vintage in Midleton, and Orla O Visual in Mallow. Creative businesses can bring renewed energy to our towns and villages, transform them into distinctive destinations, and offer opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their vision into reality.'
The scheme is funded by Creative Ireland, a national initiative that fosters connections between people, creativity, and wellbeing. As an all-of-government programme, Creative Ireland aims to empower every individual in Ireland to realise their creative potential, enriching communities and places through cultural engagement.
The 2025 scheme is open for applications until June 19th. An online information session will be held on June 3rd. For more information, email [e-mail].
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.